deskjet 3520 won't print black ink

[MLHMLH]

I have a brand-new black ink cartridge for my HP Deskject 3520 that prints absolutely nothing.  

Ink level indicator shows cartridge is at least 80% full.  

--I have run regular and deep clean on the printerhead.  Both times, the color cartidges printed small rectangles at one edge of the page;  there is no black ink on the cleaning print.  

--I have checked and cleaned the contact points and the vents on all the cartridges. 

--I have run a partial reset on the printer and rebooted.  

--I have used a paper clip to hit the reset button on the bottom of the cartridge. 

--I have printed an alignment page that shows red, blue, yellow, but no black. 

Absolutely no black ink on the page.  

Shaking the cartidge, I can feel--ever so slightly--that indeed there is material in it.  

Please advise.  

[Jeet_singh]

Hi @MLHMLH,

Thank you for posting on HP Support Forums. It is a great place to find the help you need, from other users, HP experts, and other support personnel. For you to have the best experience on the HP forum, you could also visit our HP Forums Guide for First Time Here? Learn How to Post and More.

I understand you are having printing issues on your HP DeskJet 3520 printer. Don't worry, though, as I have few other recommendations, which should help you to fix the issue,

Please make sure that the printer is connected directly to the wall outlet and not to the surge protector.

Please remove all the ink cartridges and then try to perform a Hard reset on the printer.

* With the printer turned on, disconnect the power cord from the rear of the printer and also unplug the power cord from the wall outlet.

* Remove USB cable, if present.

* Wait for 2-3 minutes, press and hold the power button on your printer for about 30 seconds to remove any additional charge.

* Now plug back the power cable straight to a wall outlet without any surge protector or an extension cord and then plug back the power cord to the printer.

* Turn on the printer and wait till warm-up period finishes and the printer is idle.

* Now insert the ink cartridges and then try to print a test document and check if it works.

Let’s first try and make a “photocopy” to determine whether the issue is with the printer or not. Place a document on the scanner glass and choose “Copy” option. If the printer is making a good copy, then the printer hardware is fine.

For more details, please follow the steps suggested in the support document - HP Deskjet 3520 Printers - Color or Black Ink Not Printing - Click here

Let me know how it goes for further assistance, I'll be more than happy to help.

If I have helped you resolve the issue, feel free to give me a virtual high-five by clicking the 'Thumbs Up' icon below, 

Followed by clicking on "Accept as solution" from the drop-down menu on the upper right corner,

Thank you for posting in the HP Support Forum.  Have a great day!

Regards,

[jasminex104]

Hello, my name is Jasmine and i have also been having these issues with my HP deskjet 3520 printer. However, I have tried everything from buying a new cartridge to what you adviced to do, and even tried the additional link you provided; several times. However, I am still unable to print and I don't know if I have to buy a new printer now or what other advice you have?

Thank you

[sandytechy20]

@jasminex104

Welcome to the HP Forums. I would be happy to help you with your HP Deskjet 3520 Printer. I understand that it does not print in black and you have already done some preliminary troubleshooting.

As you have already tried these steps and still having the issue, I would personally suggest you contact our HP phone support for further assistance. If your product is Out of warranty then remember to choose the paid options to get the tech support number.

They might have multiple options to help you on this.

Please use the following link to create yourself a case number, then call and it may help speed up the call process:

Step 1. Open link: www.hp.com/contacthp/

Step 2. Enter Product number or select to auto detect

Step 3. Scroll down to "Still need help? Complete the form to select your contact options"

Step 4. Scroll down and click: HP contact options - click on Get phone number and phone number appear.

They will be happy to assist you immediately.

Keep me posted for any other assistance,

Cheers.

[mukson]

Shame on you HP support. This is a very common problem. not sure if the support team give this asinine advice to force you to pay for support/buy a new printer or because they truly don’t know anything about their printers.  the problem is caused by old black ink clogging your print head. to resolve you need to disconnect the printer,  remove all the printer cartridges and place a thin  piece of warm damp paper towel along the print track. then push the cartridge holder over the top of the paper, so as you are cleaning beneath it. you'll have to hold the paper towel in place as it needs to slide  under the cartridge housing. this will probably take a few paper towels before its clean. You might also have to clean the top of the print head (the round silver mesh that sits on the floor of the cartridge holder.  Here is a video done by someone else which may help.

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